Whether you’re using the hashtag, or become one — it’s the best way to get noticed on social media. Every year, the hashtag joins users to discuss trending topics — from the comical to the most serious — and there were several hot issues in 2015.
Here are some of the more popular hashtags that had everyone talking this year:
1. #AskRachel
The #AskRachel hashtag was born after former NAACP chapter president Rachel Dolezal made headlines when it came out that she was born to white parents after identifying as a black woman for years.
In June, Rachel Dolezal — then president of the Spokane, Wash., chapter of the NAACP — had always identified herself as black, until it was revealed she had white parents.
It became a serious and sensitive topic, but social media users took the issue to new levels using #AskRachel — with a variety of wild questions for Dolezal relating to black culture.
2. #PrayForParis
After the tragic terrorist attacks in Paris, millions of people took to social media to express emotions.
The world came together to support Paris after a group of terrorists killed 130 people and wounded hundreds in a series of attacks in November.
Images of the violence on social media — more than eight million tweets alone — sparked a global outcry against the horror and millions offered love and hope for survivors and the victims’ loved ones.
3. #BlueandBlack vs. #WhiteandGold
It was a social media debate that divided the world — was the dress blue and black, or white and gold.
The optical illusion caused millions on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to argue their side of the lense in February.
But many continued to write about the debate through the rest of the year.
4. #LoveWins
When the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage, supports created the hashtag #LoveWins to celebrate.
The Internet was the perfect place to celebrate victory when the Supreme Court ruled it legal for same-sex couples to marry in June.
#LoveWins was created for people, both gay and straight, to express their emotions — both positive and negative — about the historic day in United States history on social media.
5. #BlackLivesMatter
To give life to a call for social change, #BlackLivesMatter became more than a hashtag — it became one of the biggest national movements in recent history.
Appearing over nine million times on Twitter alone, the hashtag is used to express feelings towards incidents such as fatal police-involved shootings and can be heard during protests in cities across the country.
6. #DonaldTrump
Donald Trump has been in the news more than ever lately with his growing political campaign and controversial remarks.
Not only has real estate mogul Donald Trump taken over local news broadcasts, the GOP frontrunner seems to take over social media timelines on a daily basis.
With every headline and interview that Trump appears, the hashtag #DonaldTrump follows — generating thousands of tweets daily from both supporters and those against him, giving life to his growing political campaign.
His name is seen more than ever these days on Twitter and Facebook, especially after his recent controversial call to stop Muslims from entering the United States.
7. #Ask(Insert Name)
Social media is the perfect platform to ask your favorite celebrity all the burning questions you desire — but the public Q&A sessions can sometimes go downhill.
With the hashtag #Ask(insert name), celebrities place themselves in the hot seat and answer questions from fans — some better questions than others — gaining thousands of tweets and photos depending on the status of the celebrity.
Film director Spike Lee was the latest celebrity to be attacked on Twitter when he hosted a question and answer session to promote his new movie "Chi-raq."
8. #IStandWithAhmed
When Ahmed Mohamed was arrested after his science project was thought to be a homemade bomb, the hashtag #IStandWithAhmed was created to show support for the 14-year-old.
Ahmed Mohamed — a 14-year-old student at MacArthur High School in Texas — was suspended from school after his science project, a homemade clock, was mistaken for a bomb.
After a picture of Ahmed in handcuffs went viral, the hashtag #IStandWithAhmed started the conversation of profiling and prompted people all over the world to show support for the teen.
Close to 400,000 tweets — including one from President Obama — flooded people’s feeds in less than six hours of Mohamed's arrest.
Obama later invited the young scholar to the White House.
9. #ThanksgivingWithBlackFamilies/WhiteFamilies
Right before the Internet got filled with people looking for the best Black Friday deals, the hashtag #ThanksgivingWithBlackFamilies/WhiteFamilies gave social media followers a good laugh for the holiday.
The hilarious hashtag used tweets that jokingly compared what Thanksgiving dinners with both white and black families might look like.
It only survived on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook until Thanksgiving Day but garnered thousands of posts.
10. #IStandWithPlannedParenthood
#IStandWithPlannedParenthood was created when the women's clinic made headlines several times this year.
Planned Parenthood has been the center of hot debates this year.
The non-profit group has been under fire by a right-wing agenda since earlier this year and was the center of tragedy in November, when a gunman burst into a Colorado facility and killed three workers.
The #IStandWithPlannedParenthood hashtag was created as a platform for both women and men to show support for the nationwide women's clinic.
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